Colts cut ex-Tech star Reagor, Stokley

Published: Saturday, March 03, 2007

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Montae Reagor became an unaffordable luxury item for Indianapolis, so the Colts resorted to cost-cutting.

Reagor, who was due about a $1 million roster bonus, and wide receiver Brandon Stokley, who was due a $500,000 roster bonus, became the first players to leave the Super Bowl champions after being cut Friday.

"It's a business," said Rick Smith, Stokley's agent. "Is he happy? No. Will he be fine down the road? Sure. But what are you going to do? It's a business."

The Colts freed up nearly $8 million of salary cap space by releasing Stokley and Reagor, two players who did not finish the season because of injuries. The league's salary cap is $109 million.

Reagor, a former Texas Tech standout who started and played well during his four seasons in Indy, suffered facial injuries when another driver hit his SUV and it flipped over in October. Reagor was not wearing a seat belt and was eventually placed on the non-football injury list ending his season.

Reagor started 45 games in three seasons, recording 12 sacks.

Stokley was the Colts' No. 3 receiver, behind Pro Bowlers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, and was part of the first receiving trio in league history to top 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns in the same season. He did that in 2004.

Last season, injuries ruined his season. Stokley played just four games, catching eight passes for 85 yards and one touchdown. He missed time early in the season with ankle and knee injuries, then sustained a season-ending ruptured right Achilles tendon in December.

His base salary next season was to be $2.1 million.

The moves came as free-agency opened and the Super Bowl champions faced a host of potential changes.